EDIT: That being said, I wrote a 600+ words on this on my blog so I'm not going to be as long winded here, rofl. The thing is though, for all the people (like heinz) that say this shouldn't be a big deal, it's true. But the fact remains, the culture that still exists, especially in male pro sports, means it is a big deal. It's true that it shouldn't be a big deal, but we're not at that point yet. Hopefully it won't be a big deal one day but we're going to have to go through a phase where it IS a big deal before we get to the part where it's not a big deal. It's a big deal that athletes don't think they're free to be themselves. It's a big deal that not a single male athlete has come out while still playing. It's not a big deal that Collins is gay - but it is a big deal that he (and any other gay players) doesn't think he can speak about it casually.

Absolutely. There is also the right that exists to call the person in question an ignorant Douche-Bag.

TRX wrote:

The thing is though, for all the people (like heinz) that say this shouldn't be a big deal, it's true. But the fact remains, the culture that still exists, especially in male pro sports, means it is a big deal. It's true that it shouldn't be a big deal, but we're not at that point yet. Hopefully it won't be a big deal one day but we're going to have to go through a phase where it IS a big deal before we get to the part where it's not a big deal. It's a big deal that athletes don't think they're free to be themselves. It's a big deal that not a single male athlete has come out while still playing. It's not a big deal that Collins is gay - but it is a big deal that he (and any other gay players) doesn't think he can speak about it casually.

Well said TRX. However, I honestly believe that we already are, or very nearly past it 'being a big deal'.
The only reason its seen as a big deal to the public is because no ones done it before. But judging from the over-whelming support he's received, I think it was very much overdue to happen, and most very much expected it to happen.

While the public opinion remains one thing, the NBA is not the Military.
With players like Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker and Jason Kidd all coming out and publicly supporting Collins, they've shown the Players themselves to be accepting of this.

Besides Broussard, I haven't heard anything but support and praise for Collins.

Statistics will tell you that 4% of the population are homosexual. That means every second team should have one player who is homosexual. To me it's amazing he's the only one out because how do they hide it from their teammates? These guys are together all the time and hang out. Some of his teammates/friends must have known and kept quiet.

And the only reason why this is a big deal is because "being gay" unfortunately still isn't socially accepted for the most part. I mean, who was that NFL player today who said something along the lines that with all these gorgeous women in the world and Collins chooses to pursue guys? It doesn't get any more ignorant then that folks.

And the only reason why this is a big deal is because "being gay" unfortunately still isn't socially accepted for the most part. I mean, who was that NFL player today who said something along the lines that with all these gorgeous women in the world and Collins chooses to pursue guys? It doesn't get any more ignorant then that folks.

Absolutely; that's so short sighted. Come on, everybody knows that men age better.

And the only reason why this is a big deal is because "being gay" unfortunately still isn't socially accepted for the most part. I mean, who was that NFL player today who said something along the lines that with all these gorgeous women in the world and Collins chooses to pursue guys? It doesn't get any more ignorant then that folks.

Found the quote. It was from Mike Wallace who later apologized claiming that he just didn't understand. *rolls eyes*

“All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys ***,”

Good for him, being gay isn't something to be ashamed of. Always struck me as weird a player's sexuality would concern people so much. That said, it will be interesting to see how this affects his search for a contract.

Good for him, being gay isn't something to be ashamed of. Always struck me as weird a player's sexuality would concern people so much. That said, it will be interesting to see how this affects his search for a contract.

Hey, Canada is pretty accepting of gays, so I wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him. Solid defensive big. Toronto might be a good place for him to continue his career at the moment.

Hey, Canada is pretty accepting of gays, so I wouldn't be disappointed if we signed him. Solid defensive big. Toronto might be a good place for him to continue his career at the moment.

Yeah, I think having a veteran big would be a positive. Hey, I was suprised Jamaal Magloire wasn't signed one more year this past season. I'm always for having a seasoned player to sit on the bench and work with the youth, especially a class act such as Collins.

The support from current players is actually INCREDIBLE. I didn't even expect it to be this positive. Check out this page from ESPN. Lists tweets from not only Current and Formers players, but a lot of his Current and Former teammates; its pretty amazing. I think that little country of theirs down there is going to be just fine.

Rudy Gay - Happy for my former teammate Jason Colllins. A true American. "home of the free because of the brave"

Kyle Lowry - Respect to @jasoncollins34. great teammate and true professional when we played together.

Rasual Butler - Much Respect for @jasoncollins34 that took a lot of courage!

Collins has even come out and Thanked everyone for their Support:
"All the support I have received today is truly inspirational. I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me thru email, texts, calls, tweets, letters, and every other form of communication. #support"

The support from current players is actually INCREDIBLE. I didn't even expect it to be this positive. Check out this page from ESPN. Lists tweets from not only Current and Formers players, but a lot of his Current and Former teammates; its pretty amazing. I think that little country of theirs down there is going to be just fine.

Collins has even come out and Thanked everyone for their Support:
"All the support I have received today is truly inspirational. I knew that I was choosing the road less traveled but I'm not walking it alone.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me thru email, texts, calls, tweets, letters, and every other form of communication. #support"

When you think of the general perception of the NBA 10 years ago compared to how the players are reacting today, it's a proud moment for the league to show this kind of attitude.

When you think of the general perception of the NBA 10 years ago compared to how the players are reacting today, it's a proud moment for the league to show this kind of attitude.

I wouldn't be surprised if Tim Hardaway's comments put so much negativity around the possibility of a Basketball player coming out that it ultimately set the whole thing back a few years.
This should have happened a long time ago.

@Luke1luk: I'm proud of @JasonCollins. Props to you -- it takes a lot of courage to come out in the sports world. #salute

@JasonCollins is some chubby white kid with 10 followers. I imagine he's been getting mentions like this all day and has no idea who Jason Collins is and why everyone keeps congratulating him on coming out.

@Luke1luk: I'm proud of @JasonCollins. Props to you -- it takes a lot of courage to come out in the sports world. #salute

@JasonCollins is some chubby white kid with 10 followers. I imagine he's been getting mentions like this all day and has no idea who Jason Collins is and why everyone keeps congratulating him on coming out.

HAHAHA Leave it to John Lucas III of all guys to send the congratulations to the wrong person. I swear, if that guy isn't a pot head, he used to be. Haha

@Luke1luk: I'm proud of @JasonCollins. Props to you -- it takes a lot of courage to come out in the sports world. #salute

@JasonCollins is some chubby white kid with 10 followers. I imagine he's been getting mentions like this all day and has no idea who Jason Collins is and why everyone keeps congratulating him on coming out.

Considering he actually got the quite common name as his twitter name, he probably isn't the same chubby white kid anymore. Ok, still white and probably chubby, but at least a couple of years older.

I think he's a few years older now; he got the original name, while I see there are many Jason Collins's active on twitter and he doesn't seem to tweet a lot. So, looks like an account which exists for quite some time now.